Randomized experiment on the effect of incentives and mailing strategy on response rates in a mail survey of dentists.

Objectives: Response rates for mail surveys of dentists and other health care providers have declined appreciably over the past several decades. The objective of this study was to update evidence about the impact use of incentives and different mail strategies on response rates in a mail survey of dentists.

Methods: We randomized private practice dentists in Iowa (N = 1267) into six study groups to test the effects of incentives and mail strategy on response rate.

Food Insecurity Is Prevalent in Iowa's Medicaid Expansion Population.

Background: Food insecurity has been identified as an important social determinant of health and is associated with many health issues prevalent in Medicaid members. Despite this, little research has been done around food insecurity within Medicaid populations.

Objective: Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of household food insecurity and identify factors associated with experiencing food insecurity in Iowa's Medicaid expansion population.

Communicating a Complicated Medicaid Waiver Program to Enrollees in Iowa: How Federally Qualified Health Centers Support Medicaid Members.

Iowa expanded Medicaid eligibility with a waiver including a personal responsibility component. Early program evaluation revealed low compliance and awareness among members. There is little research on leveraging existing contact points in the health care system to effectively communicate with Medicaid enrollees.

Implementation Matters: Lessons From Iowa Medicaid's Healthy Behaviors Program.

Iowa's Medicaid expansion includes the Healthy Behaviors Program (HBP), which incentivizes enrollees to receive a wellness exam and complete a health risk assessment annually to waive a monthly premium. We conducted a telephone survey with enrollees to examine their awareness and understanding of the HBP, and we then merged the survey data with claims data to examine factors associated with the completion of program requirements. As found in previous research, awareness of the HBP remains low, with approximately half of respondents unaware of the program or the premium requirement.